Campbell Blanks Gulls to Start 2016-17 Season

Oct 15, 2016

San Diego, CA – For the second straight season, the Ontario Reign (1-0-0-0) opened a new campaign with a shutout victory as goaltender Jack Campbell provided 36 saves in a 2-0 victory over the San Diego Gulls (1-1-0-0) tonight at Valley View Casino Center. The Reign defeated the Bakersfield Condors 5-0 to start last season.

Reign forward T.J. Hensick opened the scoring early in the second period on the power play, deflecting a pass from forward Sean Backman between the legs of Gulls netminder Matt Hackett (L, 25 saves on 27 shots) at 2:58. Moments later, forward MichaelMersch gave the Reign a two-goal lead, capitalizing on a 5-on-3 advantage with help from Backman and forward JonnyBrodzinski. Physical play escalated the rest of the frame as Michael Latta and Zach Trotman dropped the gloves with San Diego’s Stu Bickel and Corey Tropp.

With the Gulls pressuring in the offensive zone in the final frame, Campbell provided a period-high 17 saves including a stellar split-save glove stop in the final seconds. The Reign finished the contest 2-for-6 on the power play while the Gulls went 0-for-6.

The Ontario Reign celebrate Opening Weekend on Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October22! Friday marks the return of $2 Bud Light Fridays! Don't miss all of the exciting action as the defending Pacific Division Champions look to capture their first Calder Cup in the Inland Empire! For Reign season tickets, along with information on other ticket plans, call 909-941-PUCK (7825) and visit OntarioReign.com!